City Comparison
Edmundston vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Edmundston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Edmundston
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Edmundston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Edmundston | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,281 | $1,250 | +2% |
| Groceries | $318 | $380 | -16% |
| Utilities | $125 | $175 | -29% |
| Transport | $163 | $110 | +48% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $230 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,887 | $2,145 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 50% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Edmundston is estimated at
$27,130 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Edmundston | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $30,938 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $27,130 | $48,000 |
| Household Income | $41,464 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Swartz Creek runs warmer on average — a 48.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 33.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Edmundston | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | °F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 76.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Edmundston has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
12,000 minutes (200 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
Swartz Creek scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Edmundston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Edmundston | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Edmundston is the larger city
— approximately 3.2x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Edmundston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Swartz Creek has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Edmundston | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,508 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.84% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 49.7 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Edmundston
Advantages
Crime rates are 24% lower than the New Brunswick average.
The cost of living is lower than the national average.
Good access to wellness, fitness, and outdoor spaces.
A new regional public transit system, FlexGo, was launched in February 2025.
The city has a strong sense of community.
Drawbacks
Public transit options were historically limited, though improving with FlexGo.
The average salary in Edmundston is 20% lower than the Canadian average.
The population has a higher proportion of seniors compared to the provincial average.
Education options nearby may require commuting.
The median age is higher than the national average.
Swartz Creek
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Consistently low crime rates provide an exceptionally safe environment for families and retirees.
Highly rated local school district offering robust academic and extracurricular programs.
Convenient geographic location with direct access to I-69, facilitating easy commutes to Flint and Lansing.
Active community parks and recreational programming that foster strong local engagement.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal automobiles due to limited public transportation infrastructure.
Fewer high-paying local corporate headquarters within city limits, requiring outbound commuting for certain professional sectors.
Limited nightlife and entertainment venues directly within the city center.
Winters bring heavy snowfall averaging over 33 inches, requiring consistent snow removal efforts.
Modest pace of new commercial development compared to larger surrounding suburbs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Edmundston
#10New Brunswick, Canada
71.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,281
Avg Salary
$30,938
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
10.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.84%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
70
Business
0
Swartz Creek
#146Michigan, USA
65.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
48.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
78
Business
68
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